Public Hearing Summaries

In Jessica Walker vs. Trident Seafoods Corporation, In Jessica Walker v. Trident Seafoods Corporation, complainant alleged she was terminated after advising her employer she was pregnant, even though she presented a release from her doctor that she could safely continue performing her normal job duties. She was then required to complete a questionnaire regarding her ability to lift, carry, push or pull 100 pounds, which was not required for other employees, or at the time she was originally hired. Although she was offered another position, it was for longer hours at less pay.
Hearing is scheduled for July 9-13, 2018.

In Claude Blake vs. Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo, LLC, complainant alleged that respondent discriminated against him on the basis of his race, African-American, and age, fifty-one, when it refused to hire him into a permanent full-time surface equipment operator position. Complainant also alleged that he was subjected to a hostile work environment because of his race. A hearing scheduled for November 14-16, 2016 was vacated when the parties agreed to settle the case. The parties executed a settlement agreement in which respondent agreed to pay complainant $70,000 in back pay and to provide training to its managers, supervisors, and employees on the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. A settlement agreement was approved on June 2, 2016 in which Complainant received a settlement of $70,000. An Order Granting Motion to Dismiss was issued on June 26, 2016 closing the case upon completion of all terms of the settlement agreement.

In America Sullivan vs. Personnel Plus Employment Agency, LLC, complainant alleged that she was hired as a recruiter in September 2014 and promoted to manager by November. Ms. Sullivan became pregnant in June 2015 and suddenly in July after the owner learned of the pregnancy, she started criticizing Ms. Sullivan’s job performance and claimed a lack of communication when the owner was out of the office. The owner then asked a former employee to return claiming she did not know what Ms. Sullivan was going to do since she was pregnant. Shortly after the prior employee’s return, Ms. Sullivan was given her final paycheck and told her position was being eliminated immediately. A hearing is scheduled for March 27-28, 2018.

In Frank Olson vs. State of Alaska, Dept. of Corrections, Div. of Institutions, complainant, who was incarcerated at one of respondent’s facilities, alleged that respondent discriminated against him because of his disability when it refused to continue a reasonable accommodation in the form of a cell that was accessible to persons with disabilities when he was transferred from another facility. A hearing scheduled for January 12–13, 2016, was continued when the parties agreed to settle the case. The parties entered into an agreement in which respondent agreed to provide appropriate facilities for inmates with disabilities and to modify its policies to ensure that accommodations provided to inmates were not withdrawn without conducting an individual assessments. On May 24, 2016, the Commission granted the Executive Director’s request to dismiss the case.

In Julia Echeverria vs. Caribou Corporation, d/b/a Caribou Family Restaurant; Caribou’s Tooth, Inc., Jackie Ray Morrell and Elizabeth C. Johnson, complainant alleged that respondent subjected her to a hostile work environment based on her sex and terminated her employment for complaining about discrimination. Complainant also alleged that respondent retaliated against her by attempting to induce her new employer to fire her after she filed a complaint of discrimination with the Commission. A hearing was held over the course of three days beginning March 31, 2016. On July 27, 2016, the ALJ issued a recommended decision finding that the Executive Director had proven all of Ms. Echeverria’s allegations and recommending that the Commission award Ms. Echeverria back pay in the amount of $36,623, plus interest, and front pay in the amount of $7,180, and that the respondent receive training in the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. On December 30, 2016, the Commission issued a final order adopting all of the ALJ’s recommendations.

In Mustafa Iflazoglu vs. Anchorage Lakefront Ltd. Partnership d/b/a Millennium Hotel, Anchorage and M&C Hotel Interests, Inc., complainant alleged that respondent terminated his employment because of his race, Arab, sex, national origin, Turkish, and religion, Muslim. A public hearing was scheduled for June 20–24, 2016, was continued and the parties reached an agreement to settle the case, in which respondent agreed to pay complainant $65,625 in back pay and to train its management employees on the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. On August 29, 2016, the Commission granted the Executive Director’s motion to dismiss the case after respondent complied with the terms of the settlement.

In Dennis Brown vs. State of Alaska, DOC, Division of Institutions, complainant, who was incarcerated in one of respondent’s facilities, alleged that respondent discriminated against him because of his disability when it refused to provide him with a cell that was accessible to persons with disabilities. A hearing scheduled for January 12–13, 2016, was continued when the parties agreed to settle the case. The parties entered into an agreement in which respondent agreed to provide appropriate facilities for inmates with disabilities and to modify its policies to ensure that accommodations provided to inmates were not withdrawn without conducting an individual assessments. On September 15, 2016, the Commission granted the Executive Director’s request to dismiss the case. A settlement agreement was approved on September 2, 2016 agreeing to provide all inmates with necessary accommodations required for their daily lives. The Commission issued a Case Closing Order on September 18, 2016.